Dawn of Desegregation: J. A. De Laine and Briggs v. Elliott

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Dawn of Desegregation The Reverend Joseph Armstrong De Laine, circa 1970. Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library Dawn of Desegregation J. A. De Laine and Briggs v. Elliott Ophelia De Laine Gona The University of South Carolina Press © 2011 University of South Carolina Cloth edition published by the University of South Carolina Press, 2011 Paperback edition published by the University of South Carolina Press, 2012 Ebook edition published in Columbia, South Carolina, by the University of South Carolina Press, 2012 www.sc.edu/uscpress 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The Library of Congress has cataloged the cloth edition as follows: Gona, Ophelia De Laine. Dawn of desegregation : J.A. De Laine and Briggs v. Elliott / Ophelia De Laine Gona. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-57003-980-5 (cloth : alk. paper) 1. Briggs, Harry, d. 1986—Trials, litigation, etc. 2. Elliott, R. W.—Trials, litigation, etc. 3. DeLaine, Joseph A. (Joseph Armstrong), 1898–1974. 4. Segregation in education—Law and legislation—South Carolina—Clarendon County—History—20th century. 5. African Americans— Civil rights—South Carolina—Clarendon County—History—20th century. 6. Civil rights movements—South Carolina—Clarendon County—History—20th century. 7. African American clergy—South Carolina—Clarendon County—Biography. 8. African American civil rights workers—South Carolina—Clarendon County— Biography. I. Title. KF228.B75G66 2011 344.73'07980975781—dc22 2010048790 ISBN 978-1-61117-174-7 (ebook) In Memoriam Joseph Armstrong De Laine July 2, 1898–August 3, 1974 His was a voice crying in a wilderness, Questioning an unjust, intolerable system That cruelly brutalized and dehumanized The very souls of his people. Courageously taking a perilous stand, He put truth in its proper perspective, Never straddling the fence, But boldly calling the shots as he saw them. A respected leader, he challenged the status quo, But resolutely kept his covenant with God. Buttressed and undergirded By unselfish motives, Christian dedication, And an unassailable moral character, He forged onward, carrying on when hope was gone With raw courage and steely fortitude, Far beyond the call of duty. With burning zeal and dogged determination, He used himself as a catalyst and a human sacrifice, Stimulating and inspiring people, Setting in motion a powerful correctional force That came out of Clarendon to revolutionize Thought and social practice throughout a nation. Teacher, clergyman, and good shepherd. A prime mover and a martyr In the 20th century struggle for justice and equality. His life was a testament To an unshakeable belief in his church’s motto, “God, our father; Christ, our redeemer; man our brother.” His memory is a tribute To honest leadership, tenacious faith, personal sacrifice, and abiding love. Ophelia De Laine Gona, after an essay by L. Charles Williams “A few of us were not the type to accept injustice or unjust methods.” J. A. De Laine ...